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Analytics
Penang, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#1859
,
Nomad Score:
73%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
87%
Weight: 150
Penang offers a low cost of living compared to many global cities, making it affordable for digital nomads.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
81%
Weight: 80
Affordable rental options ranging from budget apartments to mid-range condos, with good value for money.
🍎 Food & Groceries
90%
Weight: 40
Local markets and hawker centers provide cheap and delicious food; groceries are reasonably priced.
🚌 Transportation Cost
85%
Weight: 20
Public transport is inexpensive; ride-hailing services like Grab are affordable and widely used.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78%
Weight: 15
Affordable entertainment options including cinemas, cultural events, and local festivals.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
72%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options available in urban areas.
💱 Currency Stability
75%
Weight: 30
Malaysian Ringgit is relatively stable with moderate fluctuations against major currencies.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
79%
Weight: 100
Reliable broadband and 4G/5G coverage with average speeds around 50-100 Mbps in urban areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
73%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces in George Town and Bayan Lepas, though not as abundant as in larger cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
84%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, popular among digital nomads for working remotely.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
78%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and conducive work environments.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
65%
Weight: 100
Growing but still emerging digital nomad community compared to hubs like Bali or Chiang Mai.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
89%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with affordable data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
82%
Weight: 30
Relaxed lifestyle with access to beaches and cultural activities supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
69%
Weight: 15
Generally good environment but occasional haze from regional forest fires can affect air quality.
🧼 Cleanliness
70%
Weight: 10
Urban areas are fairly clean, though some parts can be less maintained.
🗨️ Language Barrier
76%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, especially in business and tourist areas, easing communication.
💨 Air Quality
65%
Weight: 15
Air quality fluctuates seasonally; haze episodes can reduce air quality temporarily.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
65%
Weight: 25
Suitable for families with schools and amenities, though less focused on expat families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
78%
Weight: 20
Good quality private healthcare facilities available, especially in George Town.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
83%
Weight: 25
Healthcare services are affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
79%
Weight: 20
Accessible healthcare with a mix of public and private options.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
74%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season can be intense but short-lived.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
80%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters like earthquakes or typhoons.
🏞️ Green Spaces
68%
Weight: 10
Several parks and nature reserves, but urban green spaces are somewhat limited.
❄️ Air Conditioning
91%
Weight: 15
Widely available in accommodations, cafes, and public spaces, essential due to tropical climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
32%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; tropical climate means consistent warm weather year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
62%
Weight: 10
Urban areas can be noisy due to traffic and street activities; quieter in suburban zones.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
87%
Weight: 20
Rich multicultural heritage with Malay, Chinese, Indian influences and vibrant festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
64%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife with bars and live music, but less intense than larger cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
75%
Weight: 15
Access to beaches, hills, and national parks for hiking and outdoor activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools for foreigners, but informal opportunities exist.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
83%
Weight: 10
Abundant cultural tours, food tours, and heritage walks available.
🎳 Indoors Fun
67%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and museums provide indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
94%
Weight: 25
World-renowned street food and diverse culinary options at very affordable prices.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available but not as widespread as in larger wellness hubs.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are available, mostly in urban and expat areas.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
78%
Weight: 15
Growing availability of health-conscious cafes and organic markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
71%
Weight: 20
GMT+8 timezone is favorable for working with Asia-Pacific and some European clients.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
62%
Weight: 25
Limited but growing networking events for digital nomads and entrepreneurs.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
55%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international clients.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
60%
Weight: 20
Emerging freelance community with some support but less developed than major hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
71%
Weight: 30
Good quality coworking spaces with necessary amenities, though fewer in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
58%
Weight: 15
Startup ecosystem is developing but still limited compared to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
💳 Local Payment Services
74%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments and e-wallets like GrabPay and Touch 'n Go widely used.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
63%
Weight: 15
Growing interest and adoption, but regulatory environment is cautious.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
75%
Weight: 30
Penang International Airport offers good regional connectivity with some international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
59%
Weight: 20
Limited public transit options; buses available but not very extensive or frequent.
🚶 Walkability
70%
Weight: 20
George Town is highly walkable with pedestrian-friendly streets and heritage sites.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
83%
Weight: 15
Grab is widely available and affordable, popular among locals and expats.
🚲 Cycling
55%
Weight: 10
Cycling infrastructure is limited; traffic and tropical heat can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
72%
Weight: 15
Good bus and ferry connections to mainland Malaysia and nearby islands.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
70%
Weight: 10
Scooter rentals are available but less common than in Southeast Asian hotspots like Bali.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G coverage across the island; 5G rollout is ongoing but limited.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no significant restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
81%
Weight: 15
Stable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
67%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in cafes and some public areas but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
70%
Weight: 40
Tourist visa-free entry for many nationalities; visa extensions possible but no dedicated nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
60%
Weight: 30
Malaysia has moderate tax rates; no specific digital nomad tax incentives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
65%
Weight: 15
Generally free but some restrictions on sensitive political topics.
🏛️ Political Stability
72%
Weight: 20
Relatively stable political environment with occasional minor unrest.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
68%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires paperwork and local presence.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
65%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; foreign entrepreneurs can register businesses with some effort.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Generally welcoming to digital nomads with good infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Limited regular events; community is small but growing.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
60%
Weight: 20
Some online groups and forums exist but less active than in larger nomad hubs.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
78%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates; petty theft can occur.
♀️ Female Friendly
70%
Weight: 50
Moderately female-friendly; cultural norms are conservative but urban areas are more liberal.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Multicultural society with generally good racial harmony.